Lighting the Way with Gawad Kalinga

ROXAS CITY, CAPIZ – Over 3,000 families from the Visayas are set to benefit from a sustainable lighting project ushered by the Gawad Kalinga (GK) and Schneider Electric Philippines.

Almost two years after typhoon Yolanda ravaged the Philippines, the most devastated areas are still far from recovered. One of the main problems faced by the survivors is the darkness when night comes along.

Recently, members of GK attended three separate training in Roxas City in Capiz, Cebu City, and Ormoc City in Leyte on the installation and maintenance of Schneider Electric’s portable off-grid solar lamps. The GK members will then pass on their learning to families and communities in Capiz, Iloilo, Antique, Negros, Leyte, Samar and Bantayan Island—most of whom are survivors of typhoon Yolanda.

Let There Be Light. Gawad Kalinga volunteers are learning about how the new solar lamps from Schneider Electric can help in the rehabilitation of typhoon-stricken communities.

The two-lamp solar home system, which is part of Schneider Electric’s Access to Energy catalogue, is designed to for easy installation, energy efficiency, and durability. Each lamp can run for up to 10 hours on a 5 hour / one-day solar charge. It also has a USB port that can charge mobile phones.

“With this lighting solution, GK and Schneider Electric hope to make the lives of the affected families a bit easier, so they can look forward to a future that is sustainable and, quite literally, brighter,” said Schneider Electric Philippines Country President Claude Mazallon.

Schneider Electric and GK signed a memorandum of understanding in early 2015. The two organizations agreed to share their resources and skills to provide the disaster victims access to energy and lighting solutions in aid of their rehabilitation. Among the items under the memorandum was Schneider Electric’s donation of 3,000 units of solar home systems.

The Access to Energy catalogue includes products that are meant to provide energy solutions to the “energy poor” communities, who are still using kerosene, coal, and other harmful and less sustainable energy sources.

Schneider Electric is the global specialist in energy management and automation. With revenues of €25 billion in FY2014, our 170,000 employees serve customers in over 100 countries, helping them to manage their energy and process in ways that are safe, reliable, efficient and sustainable. From the simplest of switches to complex operational systems, our technology, software and services improve the way our customers manage and automate their operations. Our connected technologies will reshape industries, transform cities and enrich lives.